Torque boxes, when to upgrade?

john_86stang · 03-14-2001, 10:08 PM

I have been told that the stock torque boxes are pretty weak. Also there is a good article this month in MM&FF about them. Does anyone know at what mod level these strengthened torque boxes would be needed? I have a basically stock setupnow, but plan on adding N2O soon(100-150 shot) Thanks!!!

------------------
John Welch
86 GT, 3.73's, H-pipe, No smog pump, pulleys, K&N, and still going.

Rick 91GT · 03-15-2001, 06:04 AM

I woulds say it would be a good idea to increase the strength at any level just to prevent the problem if it wants to occur down the road. The upper battle boxes to me are a joke...I welded all around the entire seam on the bottom, I belive that would be stronger then the plate from behind and the couple stitch welds they use, but different strokes for different folks.

The lower system is a good idea I made my own from Stainless Stell so they will never rust, Some will say that Stainless is brittle but it all depends on what grade you use, I used a very hi-grade of stainless, they were a very good investment. I also revamped their design to give som additional support. I also made plates that go across the bottom of the box, like the Wolfe system this totally boxes them in to give even more strength. A set of sub-frame connectors would also go a long way good luck with the juice!

------------------
My Ride Check Out My Site 91GT, Holley SysteMAX II Kit-Heads 2.02" x 1.60",Full MAC exhaust 1-5/8" Long tubes, 2-1/2" O.R H-Pipe, 2 1/2" cat back, 12" K&N Filter, RNH PERFORMANCE Ram Air, Ron Davis Radiator, Full Suspension,3:73's, Welds, Best on new motor-12.60 @ 108, no traction 1.98

MSTANGfromSN · 03-15-2001, 09:56 AM

Easy way to renforce them is just to weld up all the seems. From the factory they are just spot welded if i remember correctly.Welding will make them last alot longer.

If your using slicks i'd follow ricks advice.

Dangerous Dave · 03-15-2001, 01:29 PM

Yeah-I say the best time to reinforce those is yesterday. I've seen people that only do alot of street racing on street tires rip them apart.

------------------
1988 GT-under construction

john_86stang · 03-25-2001, 11:07 PM

Thanks for all the advice guys, I've heard simliar advice from my brother-in-law in Orlando. I will get to work on these pretty soon!

------------------
John Welch
86 GT, 3.73's, H-pipe w/ 2-chamber Flows, No smog pump or A/C, crank pulley, K&N in stock box, adj. FPR, bypassed EGR(coolant) Best Run 14.34 @100.0 MPH (on G-Tech)

dinomite · 03-26-2001, 07:57 AM

How do you get to them?

Rick 91GT · 03-26-2001, 08:36 AM

get to what dinomite? If you have a SN car you need to cut on the factory boxes to slide the Wild Rides componets up there. TO get to the torque boxes on a Fox. Pull the lower arms and springs and upper arms down, rest your rear on a pair of jack stands sjust watch the brake hose that is connected to the rear. CLean and weld all the seems on the upper, then bang or the lower boxes seams together and weld them up, it is almost impossible to weld up all the seams up in the lower due to clearance you can't get up there with a TIG. Make sure you pull your carpet back and scrape away the deadond material so nothing catches fire! I bolted the plate in the welded around the plates to give added strength, right now since I just installed a cage my kicker bars go right inbetween the bolts on the "Battle Boxes" I made. Hope this helps

------------------
Check Out My Site 91GT,Holley SysteMAX II Kit-Heads 2.02" x 1.60" port matched to a 1262,Anderson N-61,24#,76mm C&L,Full MAC exhaust 1-5/8" Long tubes,2-1/2" O.R H-Pipe,2 1/2" cat back, No A/C or PS or emissions, 12" K&N Filter,RNH PERFORMANCE Ram Air,Ron Davis Radiator,Full Suspension,S&W 8pt "X" brace,JAZ seats,3:73's,Welds..etc,4:30's and 31 splines coming very soon!

stangbang · 03-26-2001, 09:13 PM

I installed the wild rides battle boxes along with the factory 5 upper & lower control arms and haven't had any problems with them.Holley heads & intake ported & flowed,70mm mas,30lb injectors,65mm tb,1/58 full length headers,hi-flo cats, t-5,4.10's
13.20@108mph.Waiting for new 347 stroker!
11 secs or bust!

03-14-2001, 10:08 PM	#1
john_86stang Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Crossett, Arkansas USA Posts: 45	Torque boxes, when to upgrade? I have been told that the stock torque boxes are pretty weak. Also there is a good article this month in MM&FF about them. Does anyone know at what mod level these strengthened torque boxes would be needed? I have a basically stock setupnow, but plan on adding N2O soon(100-150 shot) Thanks!!! ------------------ John Welch 86 GT, 3.73's, H-pipe, No smog pump, pulleys, K&N, and still going.

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03-15-2001, 06:04 AM	#2
Rick 91GT Procharged! Join Date: May 1999 Location: Hanover, PA Posts: 1,539	I woulds say it would be a good idea to increase the strength at any level just to prevent the problem if it wants to occur down the road. The upper battle boxes to me are a joke...I welded all around the entire seam on the bottom, I belive that would be stronger then the plate from behind and the couple stitch welds they use, but different strokes for different folks. The lower system is a good idea I made my own from Stainless Stell so they will never rust, Some will say that Stainless is brittle but it all depends on what grade you use, I used a very hi-grade of stainless, they were a very good investment. I also revamped their design to give som additional support. I also made plates that go across the bottom of the box, like the Wolfe system this totally boxes them in to give even more strength. A set of sub-frame connectors would also go a long way good luck with the juice! ------------------ My Ride Check Out My Site 91GT, Holley SysteMAX II Kit-Heads 2.02" x 1.60",Full MAC exhaust 1-5/8" Long tubes, 2-1/2" O.R H-Pipe, 2 1/2" cat back, 12" K&N Filter, RNH PERFORMANCE Ram Air, Ron Davis Radiator, Full Suspension,3:73's, Welds, Best on new motor-12.60 @ 108, no traction 1.98

03-15-2001, 09:56 AM	#3
MSTANGfromSN Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Balto. MD Posts: 35	Easy way to renforce them is just to weld up all the seems. From the factory they are just spot welded if i remember correctly.Welding will make them last alot longer. If your using slicks i'd follow ricks advice.

03-15-2001, 01:29 PM	#4
Dangerous Dave Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 121	Yeah-I say the best time to reinforce those is yesterday. I've seen people that only do alot of street racing on street tires rip them apart. ------------------ 1988 GT-under construction

03-25-2001, 11:07 PM	#5
john_86stang Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Crossett, Arkansas USA Posts: 45	Thanks for all the advice guys, I've heard simliar advice from my brother-in-law in Orlando. I will get to work on these pretty soon! ------------------ John Welch 86 GT, 3.73's, H-pipe w/ 2-chamber Flows, No smog pump or A/C, crank pulley, K&N in stock box, adj. FPR, bypassed EGR(coolant) Best Run 14.34 @100.0 MPH (on G-Tech)

03-26-2001, 07:57 AM	#6
dinomite The Dude Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,262	How do you get to them?

03-26-2001, 08:36 AM	#7
Rick 91GT Procharged! Join Date: May 1999 Location: Hanover, PA Posts: 1,539	get to what dinomite? If you have a SN car you need to cut on the factory boxes to slide the Wild Rides componets up there. TO get to the torque boxes on a Fox. Pull the lower arms and springs and upper arms down, rest your rear on a pair of jack stands sjust watch the brake hose that is connected to the rear. CLean and weld all the seems on the upper, then bang or the lower boxes seams together and weld them up, it is almost impossible to weld up all the seams up in the lower due to clearance you can't get up there with a TIG. Make sure you pull your carpet back and scrape away the deadond material so nothing catches fire! I bolted the plate in the welded around the plates to give added strength, right now since I just installed a cage my kicker bars go right inbetween the bolts on the "Battle Boxes" I made. Hope this helps ------------------ Check Out My Site 91GT,Holley SysteMAX II Kit-Heads 2.02" x 1.60" port matched to a 1262,Anderson N-61,24#,76mm C&L,Full MAC exhaust 1-5/8" Long tubes,2-1/2" O.R H-Pipe,2 1/2" cat back, No A/C or PS or emissions, 12" K&N Filter,RNH PERFORMANCE Ram Air,Ron Davis Radiator,Full Suspension,S&W 8pt "X" brace,JAZ seats,3:73's,Welds..etc,4:30's and 31 splines coming very soon!

03-26-2001, 09:13 PM	#8
stangbang Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: brunswick,ohio Posts: 135	I installed the wild rides battle boxes along with the factory 5 upper & lower control arms and haven't had any problems with them.Holley heads & intake ported & flowed,70mm mas,30lb injectors,65mm tb,1/58 full length headers,hi-flo cats, t-5,4.10's 13.20@108mph.Waiting for new 347 stroker! 11 secs or bust!